Page 39 of Until Delilah

“Is everything okay?” I ask, wanting anything that will help settle my nerves.

Putting his arm around my shoulders, Max hugs me to him. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

Panic swells in my belly, and claws up my throat, rendering me unable to talk. I can barely move my feet in the direction Max is leading me. He doesn’t seem to notice how my entire body is shaking. Or at least that’s what I think until he stops about ten feet away from the boys and turns to me. His hands go to my shoulders as he bends at the knees until we’re eye to eye.

“Relax. Everything’s going to be fine. Your and Beck are safe, but if you keep shaking like that Beck’s going to sense something’s wrong, and then he’s going to get upset. You don’t want that, do you?”

Of course, I don’t. I’d never want Beck to feel the same way I do right now. Instead of answering, I shake my head.

“Alright then. Let’s get Beck and pick up some Chinese.” Leaning in, he kisses my forehead.

I nod, knowing what I have to do, but ask, “Did they find me?”

“Not yet.” Max’s jaw ticks.

Not yet. Meaning they will. Even now, Max knows it’s going to happen one day.

Standing to his full height, Max takes my hand in his and takes two steps before he stops and turns back to me. It’s the first time he’s held my hand in public if you don’t count the park where no one was around, and it breaks through the panic and makes me feel giddy.

“Are you ashamed to be seen with me in public?”

“What?” I swear my jaw must have hit the ground at his question. “Of course, not. What would make you think that?”

His eyes dart toward where Kari is standing with her eyes on us. “Because you act like I’m only your son’s coach when we’re out in public.”

“You’ll never just be Beck’s coach. You’re so much more than that and I’m sorry if I made you think that.” It breaks my heart he’d think such a thing.

He dips down and brushes his nose to mine, his breath a whisper against my lips. “I want everyone to know you’re mine.”

I’ve given Max enough grief thinking we’re moving too fast and thinking his feelings can’t possibly be real. Believing in what December said, I go all in with this sweet beast of a man. “Then what are you waiting for? Show them I’m yours.”

16

Max

I lookthrough the report Cobi brought me for at least the tenth time, unsure of what to do. Someone has been asking questions about Delilah and Beckham, and I’ve got a good idea who it is. Who else but that asshole ex of hers would be looking for her? Her parents know exactly where she is. But do I keep Delilah and Beck inside and away from all eyes, or do I let them live their lives and worry about them every second of the day?

Small hands are placed lightly on my shoulders before Delilah dips down and kisses my cheek. “Is everything okay?”

Setting down the papers, I pull her down onto my lap and wrap my arms around her tiny waist. “Someone’s still asking around about you and Beck.”

All the blood drains from her face and tears threaten to spill down her cheeks. I hear the gulp rather than see it before she says, “I hate to say it, but maybe Beck and I need to leave.”

“You’re not going anywhere without me, so don’t even think about it,” I growl out. “Beck has to go to school, but I’m thinkingyoushould stay home. I can take him to and from school and practice.”

Her bottom lip trembles as she asks, “What if they recognize him while he’s at school?”

She’s right. Either I tell December what’s going on or Beck gets homeschooled until we know they’ve moved on.

“I don’t have all the answers, beauty, but I’m trying to figure out how to keep you out of harm’s way. What I do know is you’re not leaving Murfreesboro.”

“What if I’m never safe? I don’t want to have to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life.” This time when she blinks, a tear falls down her cheek, but she hastily wipes it away.

“And you shouldn’t have to. Why don’t you stay here while I take Beck to your parents? I can update your dad so he’s apprised of the situation and I can hear what he thinks we should do.”

She sits up a little more in my lap. “I thought we were going out for dinner?”

“Maybe it’s best if I pick up some takeout. We can sit out on the deck and turn on the lights you put up with the heater going.” Then I can have her all to myself which is something I don’t get too often. Plus, I can’t do inappropriate things to her while we’re out in public.

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